Abstract: A gutter dumping assembly is actuatable to rotate a gutter from an initial, upright position to a downwardly-facing dumped position in order to dump debris from the gutter. The actuator is coupled to the gutter support by a flexible structure so that, after the actuator positively forces the gutter to an over-center position, the gutter falls to a dumped position under only the force of gravity. The gutter is supported by a number of spaced brackets, each of which includes an upper leg that is inclined downwardly and forwardly from the rear of the bracket so as to be hidden from view and to channel rainwater falling into the bracket into the gutter as opposed to against the building or outside of the gutter.

Abstract: A panel includes a core and a fastener receptacle extending into the core. The fastener receptacle has an internal hollow and an opening to the internal hollow. The opening is formed by a lip that can engage and structurally support a push-in fastener.

Abstract: A landscape concealment structure (200) includes a housing (150) formed by shell (100) and a cover panel member (140) coupled to the shell and overlaying an enclosed space (126) into which a utility structure or mechanical device (20) is received to obscure such from view. The shell includes at least a pair of side panel members (120 and 130) coupled to a front panel member (110). The housing is camouflaged by a plurality of artificial foliage members (160) coupled to the housing to take on the appearance of a shrub, tree or other flora. The landscape concealment structure may further include a coupling assembly (180) that has a pivotal coupling (182) for facilitating rotative displacement of at least the shell relative to a base surface (30, 34).

Abstract: A connecting device for curtain wall units is disclosed. The connecting device comprises: a claw arm having a horizontal arm for carrying the curtain wall units; a plurality of clamping plates, each two clamping plates fixed on the horizontal arm to clamp the curtain wall units; and a claw base connected to the claw arm and a supporting structure of the curtain wall units. The weight of curtain wall is supported by the claw arm of the connecting device, and point-supported type clamping of the curtain wall is realized by the clamping plates on the end of the claw arm, which enables the stability and security of the structure of curtain wall. The claw arm is hidden in the space between the curtain walls, and thus the whole appearance of curtain wall is beautified. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to provide through holes on the glass wall units.

Abstract: Benchtop panels are formed with spaced apart longitudinal edge webs and intermediate webs and spaced apart transverse edge webs and intermediate webs forming a grid with parallel top and bottom surfaces. At least one pair of longitudinal and transverse intermediate webs are closely spaced to allow subdividing the panel into plural panels by severing portions of a panel at a point between the closely spaced webs. Longitudinal bottom surface flanges provide for ease of mounting panels on a frame or table at spaced apart frame members. A connector with spaced apart legs and a connecting tab may be inserted in openings formed in gussets of adjacent panels to secure panels to each other.

Abstract: An assembly for inhibiting wind erosion including an anchorage structure, an erosion mat and a retaining member. The anchorage structure includes a downwardly facing base surface, an upwardly facing anchorage surface, and a rigid elongate member. The anchorage structure is supportable on its base surface with the elongate member in an upright position. The anchorage structure is disposed within a plant growing medium with the elongate member extending upwardly through the erosion mat. A retaining member is secured to the elongate member and engages the upwardly facing surface of the erosion mat to inhibit the removal of the erosion mat. The assembly can be used in a green roof system by placing a drainage layer on the roof and a filter fabric between the plant growing medium and the drainage layer. The anchorage structure is positioned above the filter fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a table type bi-directional imaging apparatus, in which left and right viewers located at left and right sides simultaneously view the same picture or different pictures. The table type bi-directional imaging apparatus includes a table case having a table shape; a transparent window formed through the center of the upper surface of the table case; and left and right projectors and left and right imaging plates, having a screen structure, bilaterally symmetrically installed at left and right sides of the inside of the table case. In the table type bi-directional imaging apparatus, left and right projection distances to project pictures on large-sized screens and left and right viewing distances to view clear pictures are provided within an occupation area of a single table. Further, the imaging apparatus has a table structure, and thus does not require the occupation area of a separate table, thereby minimizing an area for installing the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A fire suppression surface system comprises a flat sheet and a plurality of support members. The sheet has fluid channels therethrough. The support members lie on a support surface in a spaced-apart arrangement, and the sheet rests on the support members substantially parallel to and offset vertically above the support surface and defines with the support surface a containment space for receiving fluid spilled on the upper surface of the sheet that flows through the fluid channels. Area of channel upper openings is larger than about twice area of lower openings so as to restrict flow of air into or restrict escape of combustion products from the containment space, thereby suppressing combustion of a flammable fluid spilled on the sheet. A method for suppressing combustion of flammable fluid spilled on the support surface comprises covering the support surface with the sheet supported by the support members.

Abstract: A building framework includes plural column assemblies interconnected by plural full-length beam assemblies, with the union of the column assemblies and beam assemblies forming beam-to-column joint assemblies according to this invention. The column assemblies include pairs of side plates spanning the column members of the column assemblies and projecting toward another column assembly of the plurality of such column assemblies. The full-length beam assemblies include beam members for being received between column assemblies to be interconnected and defining an end gap with respect to each column member. Additionally, the full-length beam assemblies include at each opposite end portion thereof a pair of cover plates, including an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate, which cover plates are sized and configured to be united with the side plates of a column assembly, as by welding applied at a construction site.

Abstract: An improved building structure and method for making steel frame buildings includes a beam-to-column or beams-to-column joint or connection which is most preferably shop fabricated (as opposed to on-site fabrication) and which offers a considerable savings in both steel requirements (i.e., material savings) and labor to make the joint connection. Also, because material utilization is improved in the connection, the new structure is more resistant to damage by seismic events (i.e., earthquake), by severe weather, and to damage from blast effects (i.e., terrorist attack or accident), than was the prior technology. The improved building structure also mitigates against progressive collapse of the building.

Abstract: A power center system for use with video display devices having a housing 2 for power conditioning circuitry for ameliorating electrical anomalies, housing 2 adapted for attachment to a flat surface 9, and mount 21 attached to housing 2 for supporting a video display device. The system includes a retransmitter for receiving video, audio and/or control signals from an external source and retransmitting them to the video device.

Abstract: A shock suppressor has a first base, a second base and a connecting device. The second base is parallel to the first base. The connecting device is slidably mounted between the first base and second base to connect the first and second bases and has a universal connector. The first base abuts against the connecting device in a curved contact surface to provide a first sliding mechanism in multiple directions. The second base abuts against the connecting device to provide a second sliding mechanism in a unidirection.

Abstract: A tool for aligning a wind turbine tower fastener includes a shaft having a first end and a second end. A first stop is disposed on the shaft proximate a first end of the shaft and a second stop is disposed on the shaft between the first end and the second end. The tool also includes a ram reciprocally movable about the shaft between the first stop and the second stop for applying a force to the first stop and the second stop respectively. The tool further includes a fastener engaging structure disposed proximate the second end for engaging at least a portion of a fastener and transferring the force applied by the ram to at least one of the first stop and the second stop effective to urge movement of the fastener responsive to the force for aiding alignment of the fastener.

Abstract: A window sill pan flashing or a door sill pan flashing with drain. The sill pan flashing has an inclined base, window or door continuous or near continuous sill supports which can be extruded as part of the base unit, and corner elements which can be snapped or otherwise attached to the base. Sill pan flashing offsets provided in the rear sill pan flashing wall and in the front flange create a flow path for water to drain from the sill pan flashing. The base may be solid or hollow with window or door supports extending vertically through the base. The sill pan flashing may be manufactured by extrusion, and corner pieces may be injection molded or otherwise fabricated. The base may be fabricated from fiberglass, metal, or plastic. A window sill support means is provided in a horizontal orientation so that the base can be extruded.

Abstract: A post anchoring method for fence, deck, balcony and railing applications comprising providing an apparatus comprising a base member adapted to being attached to a surface and a tubular member that defines an inside surface, an outside surface and has a base end and a terminal end, and is at least twice as long as it is wide, wherein the base end is connected to the base member, and the terminal end defines an edge capable of piercing into the post; and carrying out the following steps in any order: attaching the base member to the surface; and aligning the post with the tubular member, abutting an end of the post to the terminal end and forcing the tubular member into the post to substantially impale the post such that the outside and inside surfaces frictionally engage the material of the post to secure the tubular member to the post.

Abstract: Lateral motion devices are used in conjunction with relatively rigid shear assemblies to further dissipate shear forces on frame construction buildings. In one embodiment, the lateral motion device is interposed between the shear assembly and the upper portion of the wall to permit relative motion therebetween and to absorb and dissipate a portion of the energy associated with shear force through spring-like behavior and deformation. In one embodiment, the energy dissipation is achieved by a plurality of corrugation structures, where the top of the corrugation is attached to the upper portion of the wall and the bottom of the corrugation is attached to an interconnecting assembly that is securely attached to the foundation.

Abstract: A building product is configured for attachment to a surface of a building. In one example, the building product includes a siding product including a first side and a second side. In one example, the siding product is a pultruded product. A first engagement feature is disposed on or near the first side. A second engagement feature is disposed on or near the second side. The second engagement feature is configured to selectively frictionally engage with the first engagement feature of another similar siding product such that any curvature in the siding product increases frictional engagement between the siding product and the other similar siding product. In one example, the building product includes a spacer clip for attachment of the building product to the surface of the building.

Abstract: A staircase including a bent pole stringer with first and second straight stair sections separated by a spiral stair section. There is preferably a first bend defined on the stringer between the first straight stair section and the spiral stair section, and a second bend defined on the stringer between the spiral stair section and the second straight stair section. There are also a plurality of first straight stair treads cantilevered from the first straight stair section of the stringer, a plurality of spiral stair treads cantilevered from the spiral stair section of the stringer, and a plurality of second straight stair treads cantilevered from the second straight stair section of the stringer.

Abstract: A pedestal head for a floor panel comprises includes a base for a lower part of a floor panel and an upper support for receiving an upper part of a floor panel. The pedestal head has a receiver or projection for receiving and locating a corresponding projection or receiver of the floor panel The pedestal head may be die formed from a single piece of metal.

Abstract: An internal shear panel for reducing the tendency of the upper portions of buildings to move relative to the foundation when lateral forces, such as those produced by winds and earthquakes, are applied to the walls. The shear panel is pre-assembled having two vertical posts and two diaphragm members interconnecting the two vertical posts. The panel also has an upper and a lower horizontal member that are connected to the vertical posts and the diaphragm members. The lower horizontal member and the vertical posts are configured to be attached via brackets to holdown bolts mounted in the foundation of a building and the upper horizontal member is configured to be attached to an upper plate or rail of the wall. Hence, the shear panel can be installed by connecting the upper horizontal member to the upper portion of the wall and connecting the lower horizontal member to the holdown bolts in the foundation.